Just like November, December was a bit of a blur as well. I was working on some final papers for school and trying to ensure that my kids made happy memories and enjoyed some of our usual holiday traditions.
The first of our traditions is the arrival of our of our family's elf that comes from the North Pole for the month of December to help remind our children that Santa is watching them and they had better be on their best behavior. It was fun this year to catch the girls talking to him sometimes and sending messages to Santa (not always about what they wanted for Christmas).
Meet Mr. Jingles
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I decided to take a night off the the school work and have some fun. A good friend of mine (who also happens to be a neighbor) and I decided to host a Favorite Things Party with some gals in the neighborhood. We had everyone pick a favorite thing that was $10 or less and bring 3 of that item. Each person presented their favorite item and then picked 3 names out of the bowl to see who was lucky enough to get their item. Each person went home with 3 things. I scored big time because I got an awesome smelling candle from anthropology called Volcano, some EOS chapstick and some JR Watkins natural lemon lotion. All things I have never tried before but now love. Everyone brought a favorite appetizer or treat to share and we snacked, visited, and laughed the night away.
Katy my co-host is the one who brought the incredible candle I won!
Talmage had so much fun with the balloons we used as decorations the next day. It was surprising because up until this point he had been afraid of balloons. I just love his crazy mad scientist hair in the video.
Old Tradition: Zoo lights
Old Tradition: The Elves at Gardner Village
Those are real snowflakes on our windshield.
Old Tradition: Ward Party and Santa's Lap
Talmage was not a fan. One year we may get a picture where no kids are crying.
New Tradition: Waiting in the cold with Friends to see the Sugarhouse Santa
New Tradition: Seeing the Christmas windows inside The Grand America Hotel
New Tradition: Christmas Eve skiing with friends
She was a natural performer behind her little shy pout face.
We had plenty of fun family get togethers.
Cute cousin babies.
Christmas Pictures with Grandma and Grandpa
Christmas Eve Nativity-Ava is Angel Gabriel, Claire is Mary and Talmage is baby Jesus
It was a busy and crazy month and in all honesty not my most favorite or memorable December.
Next year will be better when I am not in school.
But we had a fantastic Christmas morning and day.
It really is one of the most wonderful times of the year!!
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